How to save on colocation in the data center?

Customer Profile: Ringier Axel Springer Poland

In addition to cloud solutions, RASP maintains a physical infrastructure in collocation responsible for hosting, data processing and providing Internet services for millions of users. It consistently invests in cutting-edge technologies and solutions to ensure high quality of service, data security and reliability of its server infrastructure.

Customer need: Organize the wiring and become independent from subcontractors welding the optical fibers. The overarching goal was, of course, the optimization and modernization of the server infrastructure.

Challenge: Increase the efficiency of the use of space in rack cabinets and save costs associated with co-location.

What did we propose? The implementation of the GBC Photonics InterConnection System (ICS), which facilitates the connection of points located in different rack cabinets, kiosks or data center chambers, saves time and increases flexibility in the management of cable space. The system is based on switches, connectors and splices. The devices are fully passive, introduce low insertion losses, do not need power and software. The system is easy to install and allows you to use up to four times the space in the rack cabinet.

Effects of implementation: The old infrastructure of Ringier Axel Springer Polska consisted of 14 rack cabinets, consuming a total of about 66U of space for patch panels. For the new infrastructure, 17 rack cabinets are used, one of which acts as a switch cabinet.

All cabinets were equipped with GBC Photonics ICS system, which allowed to reduce the space consumption for patch panels to 26U. The space saving amounted to 40U, which currently (as of 2023) translates into savings of about PLN 1,300 per month, taking into account the cost of collocation of PLN 32 net for 1U.

In each rack, 50 percent space is left for future expansion if needed (without taking up additional U in the rack, where servers can already be mounted).

- Savings are important, but independence is equally important. If we wanted to move the colocation to another location, we can simply unzip and fasten the GBC Photonics patch panels at the destination ourselves, without hiring a fiber welding company for this purpose. The thing that certainly pleases the eye is the “cleanliness” of the wiring —emphasizes Bartosz Mikrut, Senior System Engineer, Ringier Axel Springer Poland.

Benefits for the customer:

 · Space saving: Reduce patch panel space consumption from 66U to 26U.

· Cost saving: Monthly savings of about PLN 1,300 due to the reduction of occupied space by 40U (PLN 32 net for 1U).

· Flexibility of expansion: In each rack, 50% space is left for future expansion, without the need to occupy additional U in the rack, where servers can already be mounted.

· Easier installation: The implementation of the GBC Photonics ICS system facilitates the management of the cable space. It does not require welding of optical fibers on site, that is, it does not require the hiring of external teams

· Scalability: Ease of expanding the infrastructure in the future, according to the needs of the customer.

Thanks to the implementation of the GBC Photonics InterConnection System, Onet gained more efficient use of rack space, cost savings, greater flexibility and simplicity in server infrastructure management. The new infrastructure has proven itself well enough that it is planned to wire a second location in a similar way.

What is GBC Photonics ICS?

GBC Photonics ICS is a modular system that offers compatible components, allowing the user to easily combine them according to individual needs, like building blocks. It ensures simple connections, eliminating the need to weld and run multiple cable harnesses, making splices simpler and more reliable. GBC Photonics ICS switches are housed in a drawer housing, occupying a single slot in a dedicated chassis, so up to 4 devices can be accommodated in 1U, which translates into significant space savings.

This system offers a universal solution through the availability of Singlemode and Multimode devices with different types of adapters. In addition, GBC Photonics ICS does not require specialized skills from the user, and we connect the cables in a simple way, using the plug and play method. The increased flexibility of the system makes it easy to connect points in different rack cabinets, kiosks or data center chambers, which is a great convenience and advantage in infrastructure management.

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Salumanus was responsible for the implementation of the project Michal Grzybowski, Business Development Manager of the Data Center sector.

Are you interested in implementing a similar solution? Write to our expert: michal.grzybowski@salumanus.com